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USB IO Module

LucidControl USB IO Modules

The LucidControl USB IO Modules are a set of DIN-Rail mountable input and output devices that schould be considered as a good option whenever an automation or data acquisition solution is needed.

By offering outstanding technological attributes at a reasonable price, the USB IO Modules are able to change any computer system in a analog and digital data acquisition, monitoring and control platform.

By capturing and generating digital and analog signals like currents, temperatures and clocks, the versatile USB IO modules are best prepared to handle power loads including fans, pumps or even lamps by USB.

But they are not only prepared for building automation projects, LucidControl USB IO Modules are also designed to help you by matching plenty of crucial requirements for industrial services such as workbench automation.

The possibility of fitting the devices on regular DIN-Rails is just one advantage pointed out here. In particular capability in addition to the reliable IO terminals allows the inclusion of the IO Modules into switch boards of an automized system.

The USB IO Modules are created to be able to work with numerous operating systems like Microsoft Windows® and Linux. The majority of operating systems contain the required device drivers already what allows a straight-forward out of the box installation within minutes.

Furthermore, the USB IO Module works with the powerful Raspberry Pi as well as the BeagleBone Black embedded computer boards that are extremely popular today. Internet services and mobile software represent only two examples of numerous applications that can be realized by these types of embedded computers.

All LucidControl USB IO Modules can easily be handled by using the same easy to use software which makes dealing with the devices very easy. When a computer recognized the unit connected to the USB port, LucidControl launches immediately.

Utilizing the provided LucidIoCtrl terminal / console application makes dealing with the USB IO Modules straight forward and many devices connected to a dedicated computer could be utilized correctly.

Beside of the terminal application, the Java®, Python and dotNet application programming interfaces (API) provide full access to all functionality of the USB IO modules.

Step 1: Transform a PC to a Data Acquisition Platform

LucidControl USB IO Modules are flexible and ready to be used in a lot of automated projects. Almost everywhere where signals are managed for example within the home automation application, the devices can be used to handle electric consumers such as lawn sprinklers or fans.

Because the USB IO Modules are prepared to measure data such as temperatures and humidity, LucidControl USB devices are also specialized in power management equipment.

The functionality of the LucidControl USB IO Modules really makes it really effortless to build e.g. switches or far more challenging automation applications which e.g. log and scale temperature and moisture.

Pulsed outputs are able to create a duty-cycle PWM signal and with standardised analog 0-10V interfaces valves, mixers and heaters of a home heating can be controlled by computations based on metered temps.

It is e.g. also possible to uses the affordable USB IO Modules to control e.g making different illumination scenarios. And of course all of these services are only a small number of examples and they can easily be controlled through the web by employing a smart-phone. Once the USB IO Module is connected to a computer system which is connected to the Web there are actually almost zero limitations of applications.

Big Number Of USB Analog IO & USB Digital IO

To make the USB IO Modules as valuable as practicable and to manage most possible services, it is our firms aim to manage many digital and analog signals with this LucidControl USB IO Devices.

Compatible with Raspberry Pi® and BeagleBone Black computers

LucidControl products are based on personal computer technology and it is compatible with most computer systems working with Linux and Windows®.

Lately, mini computers such as the Raspberry Pi as well as the BeagleBone Black got more and more popular. These computer boards deliver USB ports and allow to connect of keyboard and display. Due to the Linux operating system these mini embedded computers are ready to solve lots of things immediately.

Tested and often free available applications e.g. common Internet servers and reliable database systems can make work not as difficult. Once a Web server was installed, the USB IO Module around the world accessible with all its capabilities stable by web browsers.

Monitoring as well as logging of acquired process information as well as events is possible at minimum work by using a reliable database such as MariaDB. There are a lot of example programs supplied demonstrating the use of LucidControl USB IO Modules.

Step 2: Software and Documentation

A large and increasing software bundle makes the set-up of LucidControl IO modules absolute easy. Additionally, all functionality is described pretty well and tutorials give useful insight including ideas for different purposes.

The terminal / console application works together with all LucidControl USB IO Modules and can be utilized as a instant start in order to control and configure the devices without any single line of software. Application programming interfaces for several programming languages such as Python, Java and C# are supplied.

Giving full utilization of the units and being offered for most major platforms with no need of installation, it saves development time and improves the time to market.

Additionally, the devices are thoroughly described without something being excluded or kept secret allowing development of new interfaces for other programming languages or implementing other computer system architectures.

Support & Concept

Our company is the developer and producer of the LucidControl USB IO Modules and we also use the devices for a lot of our purposes. We try to make the first steps into the the LucidControl IO system as easy as possible but when experience any issue which you can not fix yourself, we will support you as good as we can in order to find a solution.

Because of the adaptable embedded firmware can be changed in the field without requiring additional tools, features or modifications can be added quite simply - your funding is protected in the future.

Both, the hardware as well as the software are clear developed, extendable and follow a consistent and modular concept. The modular design allows us to develop new add-on extensions are complete new data acquisition and control solutions matching our customers needs.

Step 3: Installation

Installation of Hard and software

The installation of the LucidControl USB IO modules is very easy and can be done very fast.

Using a Linux operating system indeed no installation is necessary and the USB IO module appears as a ttyACM device like /dev/ttyACM0.

Under Windows operating system the installation process needs a file with the INF extension. This file is text based and does only contain configuration information. The real driver is already present on all Windows operating systems. The INF file needs to be signed at least for 64 bit versions of Windows. The INF file can be downloaded here. After the installation a serial port e.g. COM8 is available on the system.

It was reported that for Windows 10 the INF file is no longer necessary and the USB IO modules are installed without need of any download.

Under Linux and Windows the installed serial ports can be oppened and used the same way as any other seial device is.

Step 4: Quick Test

Test of the USB IO Module installation

The easiest way to test the installation of the USB IO module is using the LucidIoCtrl command line tool which can be downloaded here.

The LucidIoCtrl command line tool is a console application that is available for Linux and Windows. It is a standardized interface that allows to configure the module as well as to read or write data from or to the module.

This tool should be your first step before you start writing applications for your project in any programming language because it is the fastest way to get introduced to LucidControl USB IO Modules. A comprehensive documentation can be found here.

After a USB IO module has been installed it can be accessed by the LucidIoCtrl command line tool

Using Windows

Using Linux

LucidIoCtrl is called with a parameter -d what specifies the device used. On Windows this is normally a comport e.g. COM9. It is important to know, that for comport numbers higher than 9 the correct notation is -d\\.\COMn where n is the number of the comport.

Running Linux, the devices are installed as /dev/ttyACMn instances where n is a increasing number and should be 0 in case only one LucidControl USB IO Module is connected to the computer.

The argument -i instructs LucidIoCtrl to querry the device information from the USB IO Module. In this case a USB digital output module with solid state relay outputs is used.